TOP 3 Things To Do In Piran

Picturesque Piran, a town in southwestern Slovenia on the Adriatic Sea, is everyone’s favourite town on the Slovenian coast. The town has much medieval architecture, with narrow streets and compact houses. Adding a beach life and amazing panorama over the Gulf of Piran to this, and … you are under a spell!

Once a thriving fishing villagoe, a modern-day Piran is mostly associated with tourism.

1.) Take in the views from the St. George’s Cathedral

Many woud agree that St. George’s Cathedral (Katedrala/Cerkev Sv. Jurija) overlooking Piran, is town’s most famous landmark. It was built in the Venetian Renaissance architectural style and has been dedicated to Saint George. It was the life work of the stonemason Bonfante Torre from Venice.

A cobbled street leads from behind the Venetian House to Piran’s famous hilltop cathedral. Once you reach the top of the hill where the cathedral stands, you will be amazed with superb views of the town and harbour.

Beautiful views from the top of the hill. over Piran’s roofs.

Coming up from the other side.

A walk around St. George’s Cathedral

A walk to St. George’s Cathedral

On the other side of the hill you can take views across the beautiful Adriatic sea, all the way to the Italian port city of Trieste.

The Cathedral of St George’s freestanding, 46.5m bell tower, built in 1609, was clearly modelled on the campanile of San Marco in Venice and provides a fabulous backdrop to many a town photo.

2.) Visit Maritime Museum “Sergej Mašera”

Located in the 19th-century Gabrielli Palace on the waterfront, this museum’s focus is Slovene naval history and maritime tradition, with plenty of stories relating to Slovenian seafaring. Let us just say: this is a stunning museum that everyone should see when in Piran!

There are several sections on different floors of the impressive museum building. In the archaeological section, the 2000-year-old Roman amphorae beneath the glass floor can be seen. The antique model ships upstairs are also very remarkable; other rooms are filled with old figureheads and weapons, maps, paintings and various personal items once belonging to the seamen.

Te Maritime Museum “Sergej Mašera” is just before you get to Tartini Square in the center of Piran.

A view of Piran from one of the musuem’s rooms.

The antique model ship.

The museum is full of stories …

In the archaeological section, the 2000-year-old Roman amphorae beneath the glass floor can be seen.

3.) Explore Mediadom Pyrhani

Mediadom Pyrhani is a multimedia museum and a multipurpose venue set in the city centre Piran. Established in 2015, it is focused on Piran and its history presented via a variety of media, from 3-D film projections to interactive, motion sensing displays. Here you can learn how Piran was bult, how it was developed, which prominent personalities lived here etc.

This should actually be the first stop for every visitor of Piran!

The future or the past of Piran? You will have to find out yourself … (Photo credits: MEDIADOM PYRHANI via Facebook)

The stairs to the basement of Mediadom.

The corridors underneath …

Additionally, there are sketches about the history of the Venetian Republic, which for many centuries used to hold sway over Piran. The museum also holds the original “pillar of shame”, formerly stationed in the city centre but now replaced by a replica.

The basement of Mediadom is an archaeological finding in itself. It is a newly discovered and centuries old underground corridor, presumably used as a crypt.